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Undergraduate Applicants

Admission to SUNY Cortland as an undergraduate international student is a two-stage process. First, your previous academic background is reviewed to determine if you are academically qualified for admission to the college. If you are, your application is then reviewed to determine if you meet the qualifications to receive the Form I-20 (Student F1 Visa). If you meet the requirements for both, you will be fully accepted to the College.

Undergraduate International Application Deadlines

Applicants should submit the application and supporting documents to the college by the following deadlines:

Fall admission: April 1Spring admission: November 1

Applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis, so decisions may occur prior to the deadlines. We continue to review applications until we fill our class quota. In addition, some programs have limited enrollment and may “close” for admission prior to others.

Freshman Criteria

You are considered a freshman applicant if you have not attended a college or university after graduating from high school or completing the equivalent in your home country.

All admissions applications are individually reviewed. Decisions are based on a variety of factors; however, primary consideration is given to your academic background and how your performance may indicate your success as a SUNY Cortland international student. Your high school record or school leaving exam scores will be reviewed to determine if you meet the standards we seek in a student.

Freshman applicants can select a major to study or may apply as a pre-major (undeclared). Admission criteria for freshman applicants are similar across majors.

Transfer Criteria

If you have attended a college after high school, whether in the USA or in another country, you need to apply as a transfer student. Your academic performance at all of your previous institutions will be reviewed, and your high school record may also be considered depending upon the number of college credits you have completed.

The minimum cumulative grade point average needed for admission is 2.50 (on the 4.00 scale). Transfer applicants must select a major of study. Some majors are more competitive so having the minimum GPA may not be enough to be admitted to the program.

English Proficiency for International Students

SUNY Cortland does not offer an English Language Institute, so international applicants whose primary language is not English must show English proficiency by submitting test scores. Listed below are the acceptable tests and preferred scores:

Some other forms of English proficiency may be used on a case-by-case basis. Such forms include attending an English Language Institute in the USA and completing a certain level of coursework or completing two 100 level or higher English courses at a college or university in the USA while attending as a full-time student.

If you have questions concerning English proficiency, you can contact the international admissions coordinator.